al Pinotage 2010
““Fabulous weather made up for a mechanically challenging harvest. The incredibly cool February gave us another brilliant Sauvignon Blanc. Even the slight heat wave in March was useful for ripening the reds conveniently balanced by light rains which spaced our cultivar pickings nicely. The year brings a new Chardonnay and a very exciting “white” MCC (launch 2011) into the range. Bernhard bought 3 new tanks which somewhat eased RJ’s juggling act with cellar space. Kerry joined our team in February and Version2 of our Nitida website went live.””
Tasting Notes
Magnificent colour announces abundant mulberry fruit. Dark cocoa hugs cherry tobacco, toffee and elegant tannins. If there is no chocolate cake and cream, it’s wonderful with all meat dishes too.
Winemaker Comments
We regrafted most of our pinotage block to sauvignon blanc in 2005. With just half a hectare of vines we could only make 100 cases of 2010.Strong south easter winds, lack of irrigation and location of the vineyard makes for very small berries and fairly low yields. Factors which give intense fruit flavour of black, red and blue berries. Although a challenge for RJ, the result is a beautifully structured wine, with character leaning strongly towards it’s Pinot Noir heritage (in contrast to it’s dark almost purple colour). Look out for our lovely light eucalyptus character, which has become synonymous with the Nitida Pinotage.
